Brighton Park, Chicago shooting: New details on Border Patrol shooting, alleged vehicle car by Marimar Martinez, Anthony Ruiz
Saying that neither one poses a flight risk, Judge Heather McShain ordered both Marimar Martinez and Anthony Ruiz released pending their trial on Monday.
Their cases are joined into the same legal complaint by the government even though they were driving separate vehicles during Saturday's incident, and it appears that they do not know each other.
In court on Monday, prosecutors described Miramar Martinez and Anthony Ruiz's actions as "extremely dangerous and extremely reckless."
Prosecutors said the two had been following a vehicle being driven by border patrol agents for 20-30 minutes before the alleged ramming took place Saturday morning, adding that "The defendants weren't in the wrong place at the wrong time."
The complaint filed in court alleges that on Oct. 4, three Customs and Border Patrol officers, acting as security detail, were driving a silver Chevy Tahoe in Oak Lawn when they were aggressively pursued by what is described as a "convoy of civilian vehicles."
That convoy, the complaint alleged, was attempting to box the agents in when their car was struck, first by Martinez, then, moments later, by Ruiz, near 39th Place and Kedzie.
An agent shot at Martinez five times before she was arrested at a repair shop 1 mile away. Ruiz was arrested at a nearby gas station.
The criminal complaint includes photos of the CPB-driven vehicle, along with photos of both Martinez's and Ruiz's vehicles with damage they say is consistent with the ramming.
In court on Monday, defense attorneys disputed the government's description of what happened, but since this was a detention hearing, mostly limited themselves to arguing why their respective clients should be released. Martinez's lawyer said she is still recovering from the gunshot wounds she sustained and needs immediate medical care. Both will be back in court at a later date.
Meanwhile, the Chicago Divisions of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those involved in the alleged ramming.
In a statement on the Oct. 4 incident, the FBI and the ATF said, "Around 10:30 AM, approximately 10 vehicles were allegedly involved in impeding and attempting to box in U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in a vehicle chase in the 3900 block of S. Kedzie, Chicago. The drivers of two of the vehicles have been apprehended. A video of the incident has been provided on the FBI website.
Around 12:00 PM, a black Chevy Tahoe, Illinois license plate EM 62829, allegedly rammed a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement vehicle repeatedly in the 3700 block of S. Kedzie, Chicago. The driver of the Tahoe is currently at-large. Photos of the vehicle have been provided on the FBI website.
The public is encouraged to share any personal videos or photographs of the incidents to www.fbi.gov/chicagoafo . Tipsters may also report tips, even anonymously, to 1-800-Call-FBI (225-5324) or tips.fbi.gov ."
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